What is the average turnaround time?
Every graphic design project is different and it always depends upon complexity and the research required to produce a quality product for the client. Turnaround time also heaily depends upon current client workload. Typically, it takes approximately 3-5 business days to complete a custom job such as a rackcard or brochure. Of course your project may be completed sooner or take longer depending on complexity and the number of revisions made. Additionally, how quickly proofs and requests are responded to, when and how content is supplied and how long it takes to approve steps or milestones in the process all factor into the amount of time it will take to complete your design project.

Do you offer rush jobs on design?
Yes. Pending OceanWild Design's schedule, design services may be rushed for an additional fee. An increase of 25% of quoted hourly rate is charged for all rush jobs. An increase of 50% of quoted hourly rate is charged for work that is required outside of normal business days and/or hours.

What deposit is required to start?
For advertisements or graphic design projects for new clients, a 50% deposit is required to start work and the remaining balance is invoiced upon completion of the work. High resolution, press-ready PDF files will be emailed when the balance is paid in full.

LOGO DESIGN

What program do you use to design logos?
After sketching out concepts on paper, logos are created in Adobe Illustrator and built as 100% VECTOR files; which means the logo can be enlarged or reduced without any loss of sharpness. Certain specialty logos that may require photographic elements (i.e. real estate agent logos) are built in Photoshop at a very high resolution.

What file formats will I receive with my logo?
Your final logo design will be supplied in all of the file formats needed for print and web, including EPS, vector PDF, TIFF, JPG, PNG.

Can I purchase more than one of the logo design concepts?
Yes. This situation comes up quite often. If you would like more than one of the logo designs that have been presented to you during the logo design process, additional logo designs can be purchased at $200 per design and includes all of the print and web file formats.

What is the average turnaround time?
Depending upon current client workload, turnaround is typically 5-7 business days (excludes weekends and holidays) for initial logo concepts. The logo design process averages 2 to 6 weeks from beginning to end. The complexity, the number of revisions required and how quickly each step is approved will factor into the amount of time it will take to complete. As the most important asset to your branding and something that should last for years to come, it is a process that most clients prefer not to rush.

What deposit is required to start?
50% deposit is due with submission of the Logo Design Creative Brief (243kb) to start work. The remaining balance can be invoiced upon completion of the work and must be paid in full before release of final artwork. Copyright for logo design does not transfer until balance is paid in full.

BOOK DESIGN

Can you design my book's interior and cover?
Yes.

What is the average turnaround time?
It is usually dependent upon the author's timeline, the complexity of the manuscript and if it includes any photos, text decorations, etc., the number of pages, when and how content is supplied, the number of revisions and the response time to requests.

What deposit is required to start?
50% is due with submission of manuscript. Project will be scheduled once deposit is received. Balance due before final book files are delivered.

WEB DESIGN

What web languages do you use to build sites?
Websites are designed using Web 2.0 standards, HTML, CSS and JavaScript, using Adobe DreamWeaver and Sublime Text 2 as an HTML text editor.

Do you work in Flash?
No, JavaScript is a better solution than Flash and it works on iPads and iPhones, loads faster and is actually easier to modify for the designer.

Is Search Engine Optimization (SEO) necessary?
Yes. It is the difference between having a website vs. having a website that brings you results. It is important for your website to be seen by your target audience when they use popular search engines. If you have a website that isn't properly SEO-ed, chances are you will not appear within the first few pages of the search results. And most people do not go past the third page of search results before moving on. Your website's content is ranked based on what a search engine's algorithm considers to be the most relevant to users according to their input.

Do OceanWild Design-built websites have good SEO?
Yes. OceanWild Design sites are built in HTML with CSS and JavaScript, rather than Flash, which means they are naturally search engine-friendly. Websites designed or maintained by OceanWild Design are always built with SEO techniques to improve and increase your site's search rankings.

What is the average turnaround time?
Turnaround time is usually 1-3 months; heavily depends upon current client workload. Be aware that there are a lot of variables in website design as turnaround depends on several different factors including the complexity of the site, numbers of pages, when and how content is supplied, the number of revisions needed and the response time to requests. During the website design process, the client is asked to approve certain milestones before more work can continue.

What deposit is required to start?
50% deposit is due with submission of the Website Design Brief (79kb). Project will be scheduled once deposit is received. Balance is due when final design is approved.

Can you update and maintain my current site?
Yes. OceanWild Design can service your existing or new website for site updates or maintenance, making revisions to the text, images or code.

Do you provide hosting services?
No, however OceanWild Design recommends using 1and1.com to register both domain names and as a website host. They are a green hosting provider, their packages are cost-effective and they have high-performing, reliable servers.

PRINTING SERVICES

Do you offer custom printing services?
Yes. high-quality printing options are available for most of the design work offered.

Can I send my own files for you to print?
Yes. Press-ready files should be high-resolution (300dpi, setup for bleed, live area and with trim/registration marks and saved in one of the following formats: PDF, TIFF, EPS or AI files with text outlined.)

Can you send paper samples before I order?
Yes.

Can you ship my print job directly to me?
Yes. All print jobs can be dropshipped directly to your address via standard UPS Ground. Shipping is additional on most print jobs. Of course the cost varies depending on the type of project and the quantity ordered. But since shipping charges are not considered to be a profit center for OceanWild Design, you are only charged actual UPS shipping charges based on your location.

Do you ship outside of the US?
Yes. You can request a shipping quote beforehand to see if it is cost-effective for your location.

What is the average turnaround time?
Most print jobs arrive within 5 to 10 business days after proof approval. For specialty stationery or envelopes, the general guideline is 10 to 14 business days after proof approval.

Do you offer rush jobs on printing?
Yes. If you need to receive your finished print job faster, you can upgrade your shipping to UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS Next Day Air Saver, UPS Next Day Air or UPS Next Day Air A.M.

GENERAL

How far in advance should I contact you?
As a solo design operation, Tracy's schedule fills up pretty quickly. With this in mind, she usually can not accept last-minute projects except for current or past clients who she has worked with before. Preferably, contact her as soon as possible even if the start of your project is a month or so away. It is best to get on her calendar as soon as you can. But if you need to begin right away, please feel free to contact her to discuss the details. She tries to leave a little room in her schedule for last minute requests. And if she can't help you, she may know of someone who can.

I'm outside the US, can we still work together?
Yes! OceanWild Design welcomes international orders. Having worked on branding projects with clients internationally including the UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Costa Rica and Brazil — geographic proximity is definitely not mandatory. The process works well over the internet through emails, by phone, faxes and even snail mail when necessary.

Do you offer internships or work experience?
At the moment, OceanWild Design is not offering internships or work experience.